From minimum wage increases to changes in sustainable procurement and instant asset write-off, a new financial year brings some changes for Queensland  businesses.

Here’s a summary of what’s changing in July 2025.

Wages

Minimum wage increase

From 1 July 2025, the National Minimum Wage will rise by 3.5%, taking the weekly full-time minimum wage to $948.00, or $24.95 per hour. This increase will also flow through to base rates of pay in modern awards, with all award minimum wages increasing by the same percentage.

Employers must ensure from the first full pay period from 1 July 2025, all employees are paid at or above the new minimum wage or their applicable modern award rate. This includes reviewing and updating payroll systems, employment contracts, and budgeting forecasts to accommodate the increase.

Businesses with enterprise agreements should check the terms of their agreements against the increase to ensure compliance.

Read more in our blog: 2025 Annual Wage Review: 6 tips for employers

Superannuation increase

As an employer, it’s compulsory to pay your eligible employees superannuation guarantee (SG) at least four times a year.

The minimum SG rate you must pay for each eligible employee from 1 July 2025 is 12%, an increase from 11.5% in 2024.

Access workplace advisory support

Business Chamber Queensland offers a broad range of information, training and resources to help you navigate the complex and ever-evolving world of workplace regulations, HR and people management.

We’re here to help you make informed decisions so you can be confident your business is meeting requirements and building a productive and thriving team.

With a Business Evolve or Business Essentials membership, you can access dedicated HR services through our Workplace Advisory team.

Fees and taxes

Business name registration fees

In line with an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the March quarter, the Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) will increase business name fees from 1 July 2025:

• Registration or renewal for one year will increase from $44 to $45.
• Registration or renewal for three years will increase from $102 to $104.

Company fees

ASIC will also increase company registration and annual review fees from 1 July 2025.

• The cost of registering a company will increase from $597 to $611.
• The annual review fee for a proprietary company will increase from $321 to $329.

Denying deductions for ATO interest charges

You can no longer claim a tax deduction for any ATO interest incurred on or after 1 July 2025, making tax debts more costly for small business.

This means that you can no longer deduct General Interest Charge (GIC) and Shortfall Interest Charge (SIC) incurred on or after 1 July 2025 in your income tax return for income years starting on or after 1 July 2025. Interest charged by the ATO that was incurred before 1 July 2025 can still be claimed as a deduction this tax time.

See details via the ATO.

Instant asset write-off

The $20,000 instant asset write-off expires on June 30. From July 1, eligible businesses will be able to write-off assets up to $1,000.

Bills

Energy Bill Relief Fund

Eligible small businesses with electricity bills may receive up to $150 in energy bill rebates from 1 July 2025 to the end of 2025. Rebates will be automatically applied to your electricity bill in two $75 quarterly instalments.

Sustainability

Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy

The Australian Government’s Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy came into effect on 1 July 2024 for construction services procurements. From 1 July 2025, the Policy will also apply to three additional procurement categories – furniture, fittings and equipment (FFE), ICT goods, and textiles for procurements valued at or above $1 million.

If your business supplies these goods or services to the government, this means you’ll be required to undertake activities to substantiate environmental claims and demonstrate compliance with the policy.

See details here.

Later in 2025

Right to disconnect will apply to small businesses

Eligible employees will have the right to refuse employer or third-party contact outside of working hours. This change starts on 26 August 2025 for small business employers.

Read more in our blog: After Hours – Managing the Right to Disconnect  

Note: This list is not exhaustive.